§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department gave instructions to their agents to submit a planning application to Aylesbury Vale district council in respect of the Princess Mary Hospital site, RAF Halton. [17645]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 26 November 2001]: Instructions were given to the agents in December 2000.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department has submitted two identical planning applications to Aylesbury Vale district council in respect of the Princess Mary Hospital site, RAF Halton. [17643]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 26 November 2001]: This is known as a 'twin track' application, a practice widely used in the planning system, and one which Defence Estates uses to avoid delays in dealing with planning applications. Such a twin track approach allows one application to be appealed if the eight-week determination period has elapsed without a decision (in this case 16 weeks due to the Environmental Impact Regulations). The remaining application can be subject to further negotiations and if considered satisfactory, the outstanding appeal can then be withdrawn.